A direct observation study of nighttime safety belt use in Indiana

INTRODUCTION: Nearly all direct observation studies of safety belt use are conducted exclusively during daylight hours. Recent work has suggested that safety belt use at night may differ from daytime belt use. METHODS: An observational study of nighttime safety belt use, utilizing specialized night vision equipment, was conducted in Indiana surrounding the Click It or Ticket 2006 safety belt mobilization activities. A pre- and a post-mobilization statewide direct observation survey was conducted at night coinciding with daytime safety belt use data collection conducted by the state of Indiana. Daytime and nighttime belt use rates were compared. RESULTS: The comparisons across the mobilization period revealed a significant increase during the day, but a significant decrease at night. Comparisons between daytime and nighttime belt use revealed no overall difference during the pre wave, but a significant difference during the post wave. Finally, many common daytime trends in belt use were also found at night, with the exception of the typical age and seating position effects. DISCUSSION: The mobilization activities had a positive effect on daytime belt use, but no effect on nighttime belt use, likely resulting in the differences between daytime and nighttime belt use observed during the post wave. IMPACT ON INDUSTRY: The findings of this study suggest that safety belt mobilizations implemented only during the day do not influence nighttime safety belt use. Changes to how these programs are implemented or additional programs specifically targeting belt use at night should be considered, along with continued monitoring of nighttime belt use.     

Organizational policy and other factors associated with emergency medical technician seat belt use

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this study was to determine factors associated with seat belt usage among Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs). METHODS: As part of biennial re-registration paperwork, nationally registered EMTs completed a survey on the safety and health risks facing Emergency Medical Services (EMS) providers. Respondents were asked to describe their seat belt use while in the front seats of an ambulance. They were categorized as "high" in seat belt use if it had been more than a year since they had not worn their seat belt or "low" in seat belt use if they had not worn their seat belt at least once within the past 12 months. A logistic regression model was fit to estimate the association between seat belt use, organizational seat belt policy, type of EMS organization worked for, EMT certification level, and the size of community where EMS work is performed. RESULTS: Of the 41,823 EMTs that re-registered in 2003, surveys were received from 29,575 (70.7%). A significant interaction between organizational seat belt policy and type of EMS organization was found to exist. Participants reporting no organizational seat belt policy had lower odds of seat belt usage when compared to individuals that do have a seat belt policy. Odds Ratios ranged from 0.20 (95% CI 0.10-0.40) for military organizations to 0.59 (95% CI 0.38-0.93) for private EMS organizations. Paramedics and those working in rural areas also had lower odds of seat belt use. CONCLUSION: Several factors were found to be associated with seat belt usage among EMTs while in the front compartment of an ambulance. However, it appears that only one, organizational policy, is a modifiable characteristic.     

Post-license education for novice drivers: evaluation of a training programme implemented in Spain

INTRODUCTION: This study evaluated the implementation of a second phase training program for novice drivers in Spain, which puts the primary focus of the training on the higher hierarchical levels of driver behavior. METHOD: Two hundred and sixty-three participants took part throughout the study, which was implemented as an experimental design with the test and control groups assessed before and after the one day safety training. Measurement of the impact of the training program focused on the participants' self-evaluation and self-reporting of some driving behavior indicators related to accident risk. RESULTS: Data analysis showed a change in the expected direction in the scale related to the skills for careful driving, but not for the other four scales considered. A feedback survey about the training course offered some important input for evaluating the organization, contents, tuition, and results of the three parts of the training program (discussion group, on-road and track training) as reported by the participants in the test group. CONCLUSIONS AND SUGGESTIONS: The results of the experiment show that using a one day driver safety course, it is possible to change some of the drivers' evaluations connected to safe driving style into safe direction. The follow-up period was exceptionally long (9 months) and the design (randomly divided experimental and control groups with before and after measurements) was reliable. More effort should be devoted to improving the on-road part of the training, which was often perceived as a typical driving lesson rather than a feedback drive. IMPACT ON INDUSTRY: The findings suggest consideration of a mandatory 2nd phase driver training programme as a means to raise awareness of the full range of risks encountered by novice drivers, and as already introduced in 5 EU countries: Austria, Estonia, Finland, Luxembourg and Switzerland.     

Towards a capability approach of sustainability

Despite having a strong influence on development policies, theories of sustainability have not paid much attention to the capability approach (CA) thus far. Against this backdrop, the present paper argues for the CA’s usefulness of sustainability. In order to avoid just an additional contribution to the already confusing theoretical situation as well as to rely our exploration of the CA’s aptness for a conception of sustainability on a transparent and comparable basis, we will first identify six adequacy conditions for concepts of sustainability. We will then work out a categorial framework for conceptions of sustainability. Finally we will demonstrate how the CA is a promising candidate for filling in the demands of this framework and what further research will be needed.     

沈阳市"十二五"期间NOx总量控制对策与建议

在分析沈阳市NOx排放现状及发展趋势基础上,针对NOx总量控制工作中存在基础薄弱、污染物增量大、治理技术上存在不确定因素等实际问题,总结了"增量控制,存量削减"的总体工作思路,并提出了实施电力企业脱硝工程改造的对策和建议.     

云南星云湖南岸生态整治规划

阐述了高原湖泊星云湖的自然条件、污染根源和景观特点,在此基础上通过本项目星云湖南岸(一期)生态整治规划,尝试在整个流域范围内运用GIS分析生态湿地建设、农业面源污染控制和重现滨水空间等,改善星云湖的水质,提高星云湖及周边的生态旅游价值.规划采用顶端控制和底端治理相结合的策略,恢复星云湖流域的生态功能,解决星云湖流域现有...     

环境监测质量管理与控制技术体系框架研究

为进一步规范我国的环境监测质量管理工作、系统化质量控制技术,参照国外先进的质量管理经验,结合我国环境监测体系的实际情况,搭建了我国环境监测质量管理与控制技术体系框架,在做了大量基础性研究的前提下,编写了一系列支持该体系正常运行的指导性文件.     

火电行业清洁生产评价与体会

研究并分析了火电行业清洁生产评价方法及指标体系,通过工程实例,探讨如何运用清洁生产指标体系,并对其存在的不足及评价过程中可能产生的问题,提出见解和建议。     

石溪水库水环境容量研究

分析了江西宜春石溪水库的水环境状况,运用沃伦威德尔模型和狄龙模型等水库水环境容量计算方法,对石溪水库COD Mn、NH 3-N、TN、TP的水环境容量进行了计算。结果表明:石溪水库2012年水质为Ⅳ类,营养状态为中营养,入库的污染物量超出其自净能力。将水环境容量按照Ⅲ类和Ⅱ类水标准分为近期目标和远期目标,按近期目标CODM n、NH 3-N、TN、TP的超标率分别为7.6%、86.1%、121.1%、40.7%。在此基础上,分析了石溪水库水污染原因,提出了水污染控制方案。     

危险废物回转窑焚烧系统的控制参数分析及调节方法研究

随着我国经济的迅速发展,危险废物产量持续增长,它们带来了严重的社会危害和环境危害。焚烧法是一种高温热处理技术,危险废物通过焚烧处理可实现无害化、减量化和资源化。回转窑焚烧系统具有处置范围广、处理量大、焚毁率高、安全可靠和可长期持续运行等特点,被国内外广泛应用。文章通过分析回转窑焚烧系统的主要控制参数,根据工程运行的实际经验,绘制了回转窑焚烧系统控制参数和焚毁率关系图,并提出了“最佳焚烧区域”的概念,对于回转窑焚烧系统的调试和运行工作,有积极的指导作用和重要的现实意义。